Favorite phone cases?

[latexman]

Otterbox Defender.

 

[scfr]

I like my Incipio duo case. It has protected my phone from multiple drops on hard household flooring. It has not been "tested" on concrete.

 

[jollystomper]

I have used generic hard cases that provide a screen protector, slide camera cover, and ring kickstand. I like the ring kickstand feature not just for propping up the phone, but it also makes it easier for selfies and I can attach a retractable lanyard to (this has voided it hitting ground several times when I accidentally dropped it or it was knocked out of my hand, and it provides a level of pickpocket protection when traveling).

 

[Midpack]

We’ve bought Otterbox cases for years. Not cheap but you get what you pay for, quality and function. Seems odd to me folks trying to save $10-20 bucks buying a no name case on Amazon to protect a $800+ smartphone - especially given the inconvenience of being without your smartphone while scrambling to replace it if broken. YMMV

I do agree a good screen protector (glass) is even more important - I wouldn’t go without one, cheap insurance. Several years ago DW dropped her iPhone on concrete in the garage, the face was shattered into hundreds of tiny shards - and we both thought ‘rut row.’ But when we took the old screen protector off, the iPhone face was perfectly fine. The screen protector did its job. Whew! From what I read, the iPhone screens have gotten more and more shatter resistant over the generations, but I don’t know first hand (knock on wood).

 

[G-Money]

Ditto, Otterbox for at least the last two phones, if not 3. I keep my phones about 5 years. There are lots of robust cases out there but I've stuck with Otterbox.

I don't drop my phone often, but when I do, it's bad. Usually on the shop floor (solid concrete) or I've dropped it getting out of my truck a couple of times, straight onto concrete or asphalt. My Otterbox cases are pretty battered by the end of 5 years but I've never actually damaged a phone. I think they work!

I used to use privacy screens / screen protectors and then skipped a generation. My last phone had some pretty good scratches on the glass face so I opted to do a screen protector on my new 17 Pro. I went with the Spigen Glas.tr whatever it's called, it's actually glass, and it's extremely hard. I'm impressed.

 

[badatmath]

My phone is cheap and old so not a big loss. I'm rocking some classy packing tape on the screen for now and it still works. But obviously want to do better next time as it is a little annoying. I use my phone so rarely it isn't tragic.

 

[Irishgirlyc58]

Otterbox commuter and then add a screen protector. I think I got the screen protector at Verizon and they put it on for me.
It’s the same setup IT used for my work phone back in the day.

 

[CO-guy]

Years ago I bought a LifeProof case for my first iPhone. Since then I've been buying cheap knockoffs from Amazon for under $20. They work just as well.

I don't drop my phone often but it's worked when I have.

 

[Healthy Lifestyle]

Body Glove drop box waterproof case.

 

[Pointby2]

This thread reminds me of Facebook, when someone in the local FB page asks, what's the best pizza restaurant in our area? You simply end up with a list of every pizza place.

If they didn't all have a following, they wouldn't still be open.

 

[G-Money]

This thread reminds me of Facebook, when someone in the local FB page asks, what's the best pizza restaurant in our area? You simply end up with a list of every pizza place.

If they didn't all have a following, they wouldn't still be open.

Yes, however, ~10 replies so far have specifically mentioned Otterbox favorably. That seems to be the mode (most frequently mentioned) in the current responses.

 

[CO-guy]

Yes, however, ~10 replies so far have specifically mentioned Otterbox favorably. That seems to be the mode (most frequently mentioned) in the current responses.

I agree and I like some of their case designs, but the knockoffs seem to function just as well. So I've come to the conclusion with cell phone cases that you're paying a few dollars for some plastic and $50-80 for that plastic to have the name "Otterbox" on it.

 

[braumeister]

The only time I ever damaged my phone by dropping it was when I didn't have it in a case at all, so I'm a believer in using something.
I've used Otterbox, Apple, and other high end cases, and my beef with them is that they make the phone a little bulkier than I like. So now I just get one of the minimalist cheapie cases and they seem to provide enough protection for my usage.

 

[Cobra9777]

DW and I both use dbrand grip cases on our Pixel phones. IMO, the grip case strikes the perfect balance… solid drop protection without feeling excessively bulky or heavy.

We really like the huge selection of skins too (I currently have the brown leather back on my Pixel 9 Pro XL). We also like their screen protectors which are extremely durable and super-easy to install correctly.

It’s definitely pricey… I recently paid $85 for the grip case, leather skin, and two screen protectors. But I appreciate the great designs and premium materials.

 

[Car-Guy]

Mines seems to be indestructible like it is.

 

[G-Money]

I agree and I like some of their case designs, but the knockoffs seem to function just as well. So I've come to the conclusion with cell phone cases that you're paying a few dollars for some plastic and $50-80 for that plastic to have the name "Otterbox" on it.

Agreed. I truly don't know if other cases are equal or maybe even better. I only buy one about every 5 years.

The consistency (so far) of Otterbox has been good, which has kept me going back versus trying other various products.

The finishes last, the case has a warranty, and they do appear to offer a premium product which is also drop-tested and certain version are Mil-spec rated for protection.

I'd love to learn about cheaper cases for the next go-round, I'd be willing to give one a try.

 

[badatmath]

A random google search I ran before asking here showed people annoyed with Otterbox for whatever reason and big on Spigen (if I spelled that correctly). I only dropped it a couple of feet from the seat of the car to the garage floor so I was a little shocked how badly it fared in the incident. I'll never have a fancy phone as I have no interest in them so not like I need super power level of protection.

 

[FIYes]

I buy the generic inexpensive cases. I have dropped phones multiple times over the years and luckily have never had a cracked screen. I recently needed to replace my phone case…the cheap case was becoming frayed around the edges. I was getting ready for a trip and stopped at a kiosk in the local mall for a new case. I also got a wrist strap after reading about pickpockets in Europe. I really like the wrist strap. I don’t like the appearance of my new case as much as the old but we were leaving on a trip the next day.

My recommendation especially for travel is the wrist strap. It provides extra security against pickpockets and also against dropping.

 

[OK EE]

I use Ballistic cases and JETech tempered glass screen overlays. The Ballistic cases are kind of cool because they're thin where the phone is flat and has a softer insert on the corners where the phone always lands. It is also slightly thicker there so even if the phone lands flat on the screen it doesn't touch.

The tempered glass is a backup. In case you throw your phone in a pocket with keys, or it gets dropping on top of a rock or something not flat.

DW is HARD on phones, but she's had hers for 5+ years and has yet to crack a screen. Replaced a few screen protectors, but the screen is still OEM.

 

[Telly]

Mines seems to be indestructible like it is.

View attachment 64792

Oh yeah! A 500 - style set. If it's an original by one of the US manufacturers (Western Electric, Automatic Electric, ITT, Stromberg Carlson, Rotelco) and not a cheap knock-off, it has an important feature NO cell phone has!

If you should ever be assaulted while on the phone, by holding the receiver in combat position (palm over the transmitter end, earpiece end sticking up), you can crack the skull of the perpetrator with a fast downward arc swing.

And then continue your call.